Summer of Stories: A New Family Favorite with a Purpose-Driven Beginning
A Season of Purposeful Connection Summer is often a time of sunshine, rest, and togetherness — but it can also offer families a powerful opportunity for spiritual growth. That’s the heart behind Summer of Stories, a new faith-based initiative created by Christian children’s author and mom Erin Greneaux. Her vision? To give parents access to […]
Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Three: Become A Kid Again!
If you’re just joining this blog thread, check out my first two posts on writing engaging picture books: Part One and Part Two. How Do I Become A Kid Again? Here’s the thing. Some adults have forgotten what it was like to be a kid. They’ve grown up and gone all stiff like a stale […]
Author Interview with Chelsea Tornetto
I’m delighted to introduce you to Chelsea Tornetto today. Chelsea is the author of several picture books, a freelance editor, and an author coach. Welcome, Chelsea! Thanks for joining us to discuss your newly-launched picture book, Chalk the Walk (illustrated by Laurel Aylesworth, published by Familius Publishing). Interview Sue: Let’s start with a talk about […]
God’s Perfect Peace
Some books feel like a gift — and God’s Perfect Peace by Glenys Nellist is one of those rare treasures. It’s more than just a bedtime story; it’s a beautifully written and illustrated blessing and invitation to rest in God’s love and peace. Honestly, it’s the kind of book you’ll want to hold onto long […]
Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part Two: Getting A Kid’s Attention
Last month, I gave some general tips on writing picture books. Today, I want to look deeper into the craft. What You Need to Know First Our competition is fierce. Most beginning writers think starting with picture books is good because they’re short. In a way, they’re right! Picture books should be 800 words or […]
On Our Bookshelf: Remmy’s Sticky Situation by Cindy Lynn Sawyer
THE SYNOPSIS Remmy Raccoon is excited because the fair is in town—and that means carnival food! He is very hungry. He dumpster dives to find his favorite munchables, but don’t worry, he always washes them before eating. When he finds a pink, fluffy confectionary treat, it quickly disappears before he can eat it! He goes […]
Joyce Moyer Hostetter’s Master Class: The Story Safari
This past Saturday was our Master Class hosted by Joyce Moyer Hostetter: The Story Safari: Tracking Down the Story Through Research, Focus, and Revision. I read her Bakers Mountain series several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was excited to get to learn more about her writing process. The Workshops The Master Class […]
Author Interview with Bitsy Kemper
Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Bitsy Kemper to Write2Ignite. Known in the children’s book industry for her generosity in sharing her list of Publishers Accepting Children’s Books – No Agent Needed, and The 31-Day Author Platform Challenge, Bitsy is a wife, mother of three kids, and author of 23 children’s books – and the delightful […]
Writing for the Ear
In my multimedia journalism class, our professor talked about “writing for the ear.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, writing for the ear is when you write something that is meant to be spoken or performed rather than read silently. My Shakespeare professor taught me something similar. She said that Shakespeare’s plays were never meant […]
Tips for Writing More Engaging Picture Books – Part One
In all the years I’ve been a freelance children’s book editor, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard how people want to write picture books because they’re short … and easy. “HA!” I’d say. (And I had to keep myself from slapping them and saying, “Snap out of it!”) Writing picture books is […]